St Vincent Healthcare

Dermatology Screenings and Diagnostics

To the untrained eye, skin conditions can look a lot alike. That’s why it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis to successfully treat a skin condition. Our dermatologists are specially trained to evaluate, diagnose, treat and help manage conditions that affect your skin.

Skin testing

Your doctor often can identify a skin disorder or condition simply by looking at your skin. But sometimes, an accurate diagnosis requires testing.

We may perform skin tests to diagnose skin allergies, food allergies, bacterial or fungal skin infections and many other skin diseases. Skin tests also can help us tell the difference between malignant (cancerous) cells and benign (noncancerous) growths. Skin testing usually takes place at your doctor’s office.

Common skin tests include:

Biopsy – Cell or tissue samples are removed and sent to a laboratory for detailed analysis

Culture – Samples from skin, hair or nails are tested to detect bacteria, fungi or viruses

Patch testing –Allergens are applied to the skin to observe its reaction

Diagnosing skin cancer

While many skin conditions may cause discomfort or concerns about appearance, skin cancer can be life-threatening. Diagnosing skin cancer starts with checking out a mole, bump, spot or other mark on your skin. Any area of skin that doesn’t look normal and may have disease is called a lesion. Your doctor likely will take a biopsy of any lesion that looks like cancer.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you’ve had skin cancer in the past. Also mention whether anyone in your family has had skin cancer.

Learn about skin cancer.

Self-examination

You can play a big role in maintaining your health by keeping a close eye on your skin. Skin cancers found and removed early are almost always curable.

SCL Health is an equal opportunity employer. All recruiting, training, and employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, handicap, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Our facilities do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services or activities, or on the basis of sex (gender) in health programs and activities. Read the full notice: St. Vincent Healthcare Notice of Nondiscrimination